If you're looking for authentic Italian food, quiet atmosphere and friendly staff in the heart of Hillcrest San Diego, Parma Italian restaurant is the place to go!. Parma Cucina Italiana, Authentic Italian Cucine located at 3850 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92103, in the heart of Hillcrest between University and Robinson only few minutes away from the most popular tourist attractions.
Little Italy, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Downtown San Diego and the International Airport are very close by. Parma Italian Kitchen, voted repeatedly Best Italian Restaurant in San Diego, offers down to earth ambiance and fantastic Italian food and it is sure to be a staple in San Diego for years to come.
Little Italy, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Downtown San Diego and the International Airport are very close by. Parma Italian Kitchen, voted repeatedly Best Italian Restaurant in San Diego, offers down to earth ambiance and fantastic Italian food and it is sure to be a staple in San Diego for years to come.
Services
After owning and operating restaurants over a 30-year span in Italy, Franca and Celso came to beautiful San Diego to retire and spend some time with their daughter. But after just a few short months of enjoying the beaches and parks of the area, the senior couple realized that their true joy was cooking and that is how "Parma" was started.
Reviews (25)
Clarissa Aquino
Feb 01, 2022
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Natalia M.
Jan 26, 2022
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Came here tonight for some pasta and it was delicious. We did the two for $56. You get an appetizer, two entrees and dessert. The drinks are separate. The wine we got was incredible, might be my favorite new wine lol.
The food was delicious & so worth it. I really enjoyed the salmon pasta. Was nice and rich. The service was really good, they made sure to keep checking on us and let us stay a bit past closing. Thank you again!
The food was delicious & so worth it. I really enjoyed the salmon pasta. Was nice and rich. The service was really good, they made sure to keep checking on us and let us stay a bit past closing. Thank you again!
George S.
Jan 16, 2022
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I went for my anniversary and the staff was polite in a condescending way if that makes any sense. Let's just start there. As you can see, I don't review places but this experience just rubbed me so wrong. I made the reservation in advance, for the esthetic and cuisine. I'd never been there before and never will again. My partner for the lobster ravioli and since I'm allergic I have no idea how that tastes but they mentioned that it was very chewy and had a slight chemical taste. As for my meal, I ordered the chicken parm. When I tell you my entire piece of chicken was all cartilage
Drew Goodman
Jan 13, 2022
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B. V.
Jan 03, 2022
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Airi G.
Dec 24, 2021
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The Tortellini Panna E Prosciutto was hands down my favorite item that I tried here and I would get it again and again. I also tried the mushroom risotto which is a secret menu item and I was sadly disappointed. There was a peculiar flavor that I couldn't put my finger on and it wasn't suitable for my liking nor my friends. What I should have gotten was the seafood risotto instead which I think is the more popular option.
I got to try Linguine Alle Vongole which was a light and refreshing seafood pasta. Unfortunately, I found a bug in the dish after nearly consuming the whole thing but
I got to try Linguine Alle Vongole which was a light and refreshing seafood pasta. Unfortunately, I found a bug in the dish after nearly consuming the whole thing but
Jeff M.
Dec 20, 2021
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Bryan D.
Dec 15, 2021
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Matt X.
Dec 15, 2021
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Great, Italian gem!
The place is small, but the staff is incredibly coordinated and y'all won't be left hungry for long.
The staff are welcoming, friendly, and provide great service! They make your dining experience wonderful.
Meal: It's so easy to taste the fresh, quality ingredients used in all of their dishes.
I ordered the Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto, and wow! It was flavorful, rich/creamy, and delicious.
Lasagna - friends told me it is one of their favorite lasagnas here in SD -
Dessert:
You can never go wrong with a connoli or Tiramisu although my favorite dessert
The place is small, but the staff is incredibly coordinated and y'all won't be left hungry for long.
The staff are welcoming, friendly, and provide great service! They make your dining experience wonderful.
Meal: It's so easy to taste the fresh, quality ingredients used in all of their dishes.
I ordered the Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto, and wow! It was flavorful, rich/creamy, and delicious.
Lasagna - friends told me it is one of their favorite lasagnas here in SD -
Dessert:
You can never go wrong with a connoli or Tiramisu although my favorite dessert
Cassidy H.
Dec 05, 2021
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This place was AMAZING!! I will definitely be back soon. The prices were pretty average for a higher end italian place (around $18-25 for an entree) but it was well worth it. The cheese & meat plate was so good, and completely filled up my boyfriend and I. It had a lot of options and very good cheeses. Plus, it was a huge plate! I would definitely recommend the tortellini entree, the pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce is amazing, and the meat is cooked well, as well as being very tender and delicious. Our waitress was super sweet & attentive, and the service was great. I cannot wait
Jenny Lange
Dec 02, 2021
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Food was absolutely delicious. Roberta was our server and she was fantastic. Wish I would have taken more photos of the restaurant itself. Next time. I had the fish special of the day special which was a generous portion size. We ended the evening with a few desserts. My favorite were the tartufo and cannoli. Owners were there and they are genuinely sweet people. Go try this cozy little place out!
Evelyn J.
Dec 02, 2021
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I found this restaurant through other app because of the high review. I made reservation while driving on the way to San Diego. This restaurant is located northeast side of Little Italy. There are many street parkings. We parked at a public parking lot next to Chase bank - about half a block away from Parma. This is a cute restaurant with about 15 area of sitting inside and some outdoor sittings.
We ordered two pollo dishes in different sauce (cream of mushroom and red sauce) The way they prepared the pollo is very unique. Each dish has three thin slices pressed breast meats. They tasted tender
We ordered two pollo dishes in different sauce (cream of mushroom and red sauce) The way they prepared the pollo is very unique. Each dish has three thin slices pressed breast meats. They tasted tender
Danielle G.
Nov 28, 2021
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Dined here for the first time this evening. The service was top notch, you could tell they genuinely cared about our experience. We ordered the truffle pasta, the veal tortellini, a side of meatballs, spinach ravioli, seafood risotto, burrata with prosciutto, the tiramisu, and the affogato. The burrata was imported yet decent and the prosciutto was very tender - highly recommends this appetizer. The truffle candy shaped pasta with a truffle cream sauce was very good, although I would've preferred more pepper as the flavor can be stale after awhile. We loved the veal tortellini and the spinach
John W.
Nov 23, 2021
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Robin Harvey
Nov 01, 2021
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Jessica Xrossed
Oct 28, 2021
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Harold R.
Sep 28, 2021
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A friend recommended this place to us, and it definitely did not disappoint. All the Italian food at this restaurant is so fresh. I got the spicy pasta, and the tomatoes and spicy peppers tasted like they just came off the vine. I almost ate it too quickly, everybody at the table stared at me in disbelief.
I'm not a big dessert person, but the friends I went with ordered the tiramisu and the affogato, and both looked amazing. The tiramisu was twice the size of most servings at other restaurants. Same with the block of ice cream that came with the affogato.
Also the tomato with burrata
I'm not a big dessert person, but the friends I went with ordered the tiramisu and the affogato, and both looked amazing. The tiramisu was twice the size of most servings at other restaurants. Same with the block of ice cream that came with the affogato.
Also the tomato with burrata
Amber D.
Sep 17, 2021
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Wow! I couldn't have had a more wonderful dinner with my mother who I haven't seen in two years because of the pandemic. She actually picked this restaurant out in Kansas before coming to visit. She loves Italian food and I wanted her to pick what she wanted to celebrate being together, her retirement and her birthday. Our server was Helen. Wow! She was amazing. I love that most of not everyone who worked here absolutely are from Italy/Europe and the restaurant felt very authentic Italian. I'd highly recommend it to ANYONE. The food was amazing and reasonably priced for a nice Italian
Brenda J.
Aug 09, 2021
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The service here is #1. It's the attention to detail making sure you enjoy your wine, your meal-even their homemade bread. And then, there is homemade honey butter--I usually like oil & vinegar but the honey butter--on the bread, made a believer out of me! For my entree' I enjoyed:
Pollo alla Parma $23.95
Parmigiana style chicken breast with melted mozzarella cheese, bail, garlic tomato sauce served with 1 choice: Pasta marina, mashed potatoes or Caponata vegetables (I enjoyed past with it).
Rose' wine was a good choice. Light. Tasty.
All desserts are made onsite. I chose
Pollo alla Parma $23.95
Parmigiana style chicken breast with melted mozzarella cheese, bail, garlic tomato sauce served with 1 choice: Pasta marina, mashed potatoes or Caponata vegetables (I enjoyed past with it).
Rose' wine was a good choice. Light. Tasty.
All desserts are made onsite. I chose
Nicole M.
Jul 08, 2021
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I was so excited to see the pappardelle al brasato on the menu--hopeful it would taste similar to similar dishes I've had elsewhere. It was incredibly bland, so much so that I wondered if they had forgotten a few ingredients.
An extra star was taken off because the "Nutella" dessert is actually chocolate frosting instead of Nutella. What a deceptive description on the menu!
An extra star was taken off because the "Nutella" dessert is actually chocolate frosting instead of Nutella. What a deceptive description on the menu!
Kiyomi W.
Jul 08, 2021
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I absolutely loved this place! The service is so good and the workers are all so sweet & welcoming! The food is really good and it hits the spot! I got the penne al salmone and it was so good because the smoked salmon really tied well with the sauce giving it the perfect balance. They have outdoor and indoor dining but make a reservation so you have a table saved when you arrive. I also suggest parking at the rite aid close by since there isn't much street parking and it's really busy.
Sam
Jun 03, 2021
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I have no earthly idea why this place is rated high but maybe other dishes are better. However, I was craving lasagna but I was very disappointed what I just put in my mouth. Even so before I ate this poor excuse of a lasagna dish…. Upon arrival to retrieve my to go order, the front waiter was bold enough to say I would enjoy my meal and even come back at another time….. but I will not I’m afraid. Here’s why
Lasagna Cons:
- too much Parmesan
- didn’t see or taste any sauce
- insanely greasy
- overall taste was bland
- not worth $22
Lasagna pros:
- meat portion good
- overall
Lasagna Cons:
- too much Parmesan
- didn’t see or taste any sauce
- insanely greasy
- overall taste was bland
- not worth $22
Lasagna pros:
- meat portion good
- overall
Ali
Apr 23, 2021
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Andrea W.
Feb 18, 2021
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I ordered delivery as I was craving some Italian food.
The gnocchi was the best I had in a long time. Perfect consistency, super creamy. Delicious!!!
The lasagna on the other hand.... there was a tick layer of Parmesan cheese. It was super salty.
There was a good amount of filling but no cheese. When I think lasagna I think melting cheese and filling.
I would like to try other items on the menu.
The gnocchi was so delicious that I'm sure it was a fluke that the lasagna wasn't really good...
The gnocchi was the best I had in a long time. Perfect consistency, super creamy. Delicious!!!
The lasagna on the other hand.... there was a tick layer of Parmesan cheese. It was super salty.
There was a good amount of filling but no cheese. When I think lasagna I think melting cheese and filling.
I would like to try other items on the menu.
The gnocchi was so delicious that I'm sure it was a fluke that the lasagna wasn't really good...
Jennifer L.
Jan 04, 2021
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There are so many choices for Italian food in San Diego but ultimately I ended up choosing this one. I ordered online and it was pretty easy. I got the lasagna, then tagliatelle bolognese, a house salad, steamed veggies, and the lemon tart pie. I don’t think I would order the lasagna again, might be my personal preference but the texture was too mushy and even though it had so much cheese it wasn’t very tasty. The house salad had no dressing which I thought was very weird, and the lemon pie was good but not very lemony. I think the best dishes were the bolognese and the steamed veggies.
